The Safety Car had been deployed to cover an earlier collision between Kevin Magnussen and Daniel Ricciardo, but with the track returning to green, there would be further contact thanks to last season’s title rivals Verstappen and Hamilton. Verstappen would drift around the outside of Hamilton at Turn 1, then dive for the inside at Turn 2 as the pair came together, destroying the front wing on Verstappen’s Red Bull. The marshals would decide that Verstappen was the driver at fault, issuing a five-second penalty. Hamilton also lost ground, but not by as much, recovering to finish P2 behind team-mate George Russell as Mercedes won for the first time this season in a one-two. Hamilton praised Russell and Mercedes after the race, while also referring to that Verstappen accident. “Huge congratulations to George,” Hamilton said immediately after the race. “What an amazing move he made today. He did amazing in qualifying yesterday so he really deserves it. “For my team, so proud of everyone back at the factory and here, this is an incredible result. We’ve worked so hard over the course of this year to get a one or two or a win so this is very, very well deserved from everyone so a big, big thank you. “What can I say? You know how it is with Max.” This was Hamilton’s first GP in Sao Paulo since becoming an honorary citizen of Brazil. He thanked the crowd for their acceptance and warm welcome, adding that he hopes to return to the country for some holidays in the future. “A big, big thank you to everyone here in Brazil,” Hamilton said. “I really had one of the best weeks of my life here, with how everyone received me here and the warm welcome I got. “So excited to come back here again and hopefully some vacations in the future.” Hamilton now heads into the final round in Abu Dhabi with very little chance of finishing as high as P4 in the final drivers’ standings, 25 points behind teammate Russell who holds that position. Read next: F1 overtaking rules: What are the rules of engagement?
